Recurrence behavior of oral squamous cell carcinoma of the upper jaw in comparison to the buccal mucosa, a retrospective analysis of the last 26 years

Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) of the buccal mucosa and the upper jaw are rare compared to other sites within the oral cavity and only few studies can be found concerning these localizations only. Therefore the impact of different factors on the recurrence of both tumors were analyzed retrospectively. Material and methods: All patients with OSCC of the buccal mucosa and the upper jaw between 1988 and 2013 were analyzed and compared. Epidemiologic as well as risk factors and therapeutic strategies were investigated. Furthermore T-, N-, R- and G-classification and radiation were correlated to the incidence of recurrences. Results: 113 patients (49% ♀, 51% ♂) with a median age of 65±13a (♀:68±14a,♂:58±11a) with buccal and 138 patients with maxillal OSCC with a mean age of 66±13a (♀:71±13a,♂:63±12a) were treated within the investigated period. Follow up was 48 months on average. 97% of buccal and 92% of maxillal OSCC were operated primarily. Comparison showed significantly higher recurrence rates for buccal OSCC for N0-, R0- and G1-classifications. Almost half of all buccal OSCC (49.6%) showed recurrence in the follow-up period, whereas OSCC of the upper jaw only recidivated in 26.1% of all cases. Within the radiated group 50% recurrence was observed for buccal OSCC and only 32.2% for the upper jaw. The median period until recurrence was observed was 11.5 (range 2-184) months for buccal and 13.5 (range 4-140) months for maxillal OSCC. Discussion: OSCC of the buccal mucosa shows a very aggresive behaviour with early recurrence. Significant differences were observed in comparison to OSCC of the upper jaw. Keywords: oral squamous cell carcinoma, buccal mucosa, upper jaw, recurrence